MINOT - Census figures show Divide County was North Dakota's fastest growing county last year. Even though it's small, the growth is exciting to county and state data officials.

The Census Bureau estimates show Divide County's 1.8 percent population growth from July 2002 to July 2003 was the largest percentage increase of any of the state's counties. Even Cass County trailed with 1.4 percent growth, and Burleigh County, with 1.1 percent.

"There's no doubt during 2003, that there was more activity in town. Definitely," said David Olson, economic development director in Crosby.

A 1.8 percent increase translates to only 39 people because Divide's population is small - estimated at just 2,247 last year. Still, a figure in the positive column is good news for an area that has struggled for years to keep people.

Richard Rathge, director of the State Data Center in Fargo, said small fluctuations in population can appear significant in sparsely-populated counties like Divide. "But something positive apparently is happening," he said.

Much of the county activity was due to the opening of the Bushel 42 pasta plant, which since has closed. Olson said the county has been able to keep a number of those workers around with other job opportunities.

"Hopefully, people understand that it did bring in people. It did increase the economic activity in the area," he said. "Projects like that - even though they don't succeed all the time, hopefully, you keep working at it."

Rathge said census estimates show 16 of the state's 53 counties have had more people moving in over the past year than moving out.

"When you look at the map, it's fascinating because the majority of those counties are in the West," Rathge said.

"The question is whether the numbers reflect a trend or are an artificial spike created by the small population base of many of the counties," he said.

"One indication is quarterly sales tax figures, which were up in many counties in the last six months of last year compared to the same period in 2002. For instance, Divide County taxable sales and purchases were up about 17 percent from July to September and 10 percent from October through December," Rathge said.

"One year doesn't a trend make," he said. "But it's still interesting news, and it's really baffling to me, because it's somewhat unexpected. It's peaked our interest, and it's something we're going to be monitoring."